Linda Parkinson-Hardmanhttps://womanontheedgeofreality.com
author + social entrepreneur + social media trainerFri, 09 Dec 2016 18:24:34 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/https://secure.gravatar.com/blavatar/10a27aef3cdb108e0835e7f66438383c?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngLinda Parkinson-Hardmanhttps://womanontheedgeofreality.com
Meet Cathy Lewis, author of The Boy Who Hears Thingshttps://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/12/09/meet-cathy-lewis-author-of-the-boy-who-hears-things/
https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/12/09/meet-cathy-lewis-author-of-the-boy-who-hears-things/#respondFri, 09 Dec 2016 18:20:17 +0000http://womanontheedgeofreality.com/?p=27689Continue reading Meet Cathy Lewis, author of The Boy Who Hears Things]]>HI everyone, and this week I’d like to introduce you all to a great friend of mine, Cathy Lewis. This is Cathy’s first novel for children and forms the beginning of an exciting new trilogy, the Jamie Grey series.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

In the early 1980s, I trained as a fashion journalist at the London College of Fashion (My daughters still find this very hard to believe!). On the same course were two of the girls who later formed the pop group, Bananarama. After leaving college, I became a freelance fashion presenter for a Saturday morning show on Television South West in Plymouth. But as with many of the ‘creative’ things I’ve done, it was very poorly paid – I still had to work as a waitress to make enough money to live. My two worlds collided one day when Bananarama were guests on the same show as me. We chatted and they said how brilliant it was that I’d managed to make a career out of fashion (I nodded sheepishly). But that evening, when I was on my shift in the restaurant, guess who walked in…yes, the Bananarama girls!

What did the best review you ever had say about you and your work?

I was asked to read the first chapters of this novel to my daughter’s class at school. She was mortified that I was doing it, but worse still, she was convinced that a boy in her class called Ben would be really rude and upset me in front of everyone. ‘He makes all the teachers cry, Mum.’ On the day arrived, I spotted Ben in the front row – while my daughter and her friends were hiding at the back. With some trepidation, I read the first chapter, then the teacher asked if there were any questions. Ben’s hand shot up – and my daughter and her friends shot right under the desk. ‘Go ahead, Ben,’ said the teacher. Ben looked straight at me and said: ‘Please Miss, can you read some more…’.

What did the worst review you ever had say about you and your work?

I am waiting for it – and dreading it. It’s bad enough picking yourself up every time a publisher rejects your work…

How did you choose a title for your book?

This was the very hardest thing! In fact, the book was written, proofed and ready to go before I hit upon it! The problem was, I’d written the book as the final dissertation for my MA in Writing for Children. It always had the title, ‘The Last Lunatic’, because the book tells the story of Eddie, the last inmate of an asylum. But when I started looking for a publisher, people told me it wasn’t ‘politically correct’ – even though the book has a powerful message for children about how we treat people with mental illness. In fact, Eddie proves to be ‘The Last Hero’. But I realised I couldn’t afford to put potential publishers/buyers off. The final inspiration came randomly when a friend sent me a book she’d enjoyed – and it triggered an idea for the new title of my book. I’m really happy with it now – and love the way it works with the cover illustration.

Are there any occupational hazards to being an author?

Drifting off into my own world and writing stuff in my head. I often do this when swimming with my squad and I forget what I’m supposed to be doing. It’s not too bad in the pool, but when I’m in the sea in Swanage bay, it’s a bit more hazardous. One day I’ll zone back in and find I’m half way to the Isle of Wight – in the middle of the shipping lane!

Have you ever wished that you could be or do anything else instead of writing, and if so what?

Oh yes! Every time I watch a musical at the theatre, I desperately want to be on the stage. But as I can’t sing, can’t dance and can’t act, I’ve been rather thwarted in that ambition. I’ve booked those talents for next time round…

Have you ever written naked?

In the sea-swimming world, ‘naked’ means without a wetsuit. So, as I do lots of writing in my head when I’m swimming, the answer is yes…

Do you have any hints or tips for aspiring writers?

No matter how busy your life, set aside a time to write, even if just for an hour or so. Perfect the art of zoning out so you can write on trains, planes, in cafes or on a beach. Just scribble things down and get into a flow – don’t worry about spelling or grammar or form. You can edit later. (If people saw my early drafts they’d think I am totally illiterate!). And most importantly, in the words of my friend and mentor, Linda Parkinson-Hardman, ‘Just do it’.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Places, people – and their history. The inspiration for this novel came when I moved to Netley Abbey in Southampton and went for a walk in the local county park. I came across a high wall with shards of glass on the top. ‘Blimey, they wanted to keep people out of there,’ I thought, ‘…or maybe they wanted to keep people in’. I later discovered it was once a military asylum, and I began to research its history. I found that there had been accusations of mistreatment of patients, including a man who died of bleeding on the brain, yet he’d only been admitted with minor physical injuries. Investigations had proved inconclusive. Then, to top it all, there was a mysterious fire in the 1960s that destroyed all the hospital records. That was it – my imagination took off – and The Boy Who Hears Things was conceived.

What was the most important thing you learned at school?

That books are magic – they can take you through time, to different places or to other worlds. We had an English teacher called Mrs McDermott who adored books and her love of them was infectious. I can still see her now, reading My Family and Other Animals – and laughing so much she was crying! She was the first person who told me I had a gift for writing…

What is your favourite TV moment of all time?

Oh, can I have two please? Because both of these automatically sprang into my head and I can’t possibly choose between them! The first is towards the end of ET when the children are trying to get ET back to his spaceship. They are on bikes, peddling as fast as they can, but the baddies are closing in on them. Just as they are about to be caught, the bicycles rise up into the air, and ET is famously silhouetted against the moon. I have seen this about 20 times, but I still cheer and grin! The other is at the end of It’s a Wonderful Life – when the near-suicidal George Bailey discovers his life is worth living, and runs down the snowy street shouting ‘Merry Christmas everyone’. A must for the festive season…

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.

Filed under: Thursday Throng Tagged: author interview, cathy lewis, children's books]]>https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/12/09/meet-cathy-lewis-author-of-the-boy-who-hears-things/feed/0cathy-lewis-the-boy-who-hears-thingsLindythe-boy-who-hears-thingsMeet Samita Sarkar, author of I Am The Oceanhttps://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/12/01/meet-samita-sarkar-author-of-i-am-the-ocean/
https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/12/01/meet-samita-sarkar-author-of-i-am-the-ocean/#respondThu, 01 Dec 2016 11:23:07 +0000http://womanontheedgeofreality.com/?p=27682Continue reading Meet Samita Sarkar, author of I Am The Ocean]]>This week, I’d like to introduce you all to Samita Sarkar, author I am the Ocean, a journey to discover what life has in store for those who just take the time to spot running on the spot and start looking around them.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

I’m a big animal lover. I like to watch wildlife documentaries and spend lots of time outdoors. It’s so fascinating how each animal has its own unique personality. Sometimes I prefer the company of animals over humans!

What has been the best experience you have ever had in your life?

I wrote about it! When I was in my early twenties, I graduated from university with a professional writing degree and top grades, yet no job prospects, no boyfriend, and no one to tell me what to do. For the first time in my life, I was without structure. I decided to spend some time backpacking along the east coast of the United States to figure things out.

I saw many beautiful things and met some fascinating people, but it was also an important time of introspection and spiritual development. I had the time of my life.

A few years after I returned home to Canada, I felt a creative surge, so I wrote a book about it.

How did you choose a title for your book?

My travel memoir is called I Am the Ocean, which is a line from The Bhagavad Gita that refers to Lord Krishna. This book, which is a conversation between the Lord and his friend, has heavily influenced my own writing because it is such an important philosophical text full of ancient wisdom.

In The Gita, Krishna shows his friend Arjuna his universal form. Although Krishna is beautiful, his friend becomes overwhelmed by his presence. This is exactly how I felt about my journey. Although it was a beautiful, pivotal moment in my life, it was also scary because I was doing something so new to me.

Are the names of your characters important to you?

Yes, very much so. In my memoir, I had to change names to protect identities, but I chose names that suited the person, so to speak. I’m also going to be penning a young adult novel in the near future, and I’ve got some of the plotline figured out. All names will have a meaning. I honestly believe that what you name your child can influence the type of person they grow to become.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I try to spend as much time as possible outdoors, in nature. Being surrounded by natural beauty is rejuvenating and gets the creative juices flowing.

I also enjoy cooking. It’s an art, but it’s more tactical so it’s not as mentally tiring as writing can be. I’m a vegetarian, so I love coming up with creative, healthy ideas for meals.

I’m planning to release a book on vegetarian desserts for people new to baking. All will be eggless, low in fat, made with simple ingredients, and without any refined sugar—of course, taste will not be compromised. If you’re interested, you can stay updated on my website.

Have you had to learn new skills and tricks or attempted impossible feats in order to get a book finished?

Nothing is impossible, but I learned a lot from publishing a book. I learned how to design a cover. How to format a book for Amazon. How to register a publishing imprint. How to approach book bloggers and generate some buzz for the book online.

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.

Filed under: Thursday Throng Tagged: author interview, biography, samita sarkar]]>https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/12/01/meet-samita-sarkar-author-of-i-am-the-ocean/feed/0i-am-the-ocean-samita-sarkarLindyi-am-the-ocean-low-coverMeet Nicholas Bridgman, author of A Character in Realityhttps://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/11/24/meet-nicholas-bridgman-author-of-a-character-in-reality/
https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/11/24/meet-nicholas-bridgman-author-of-a-character-in-reality/#respondThu, 24 Nov 2016 17:54:37 +0000http://womanontheedgeofreality.com/?p=27666Continue reading Meet Nicholas Bridgman, author of A Character in Reality]]>Hi and this week I’d like to welcome author and musician Nicholas Bridgman to the Thursday Throng. Nicholas is the author of A Character in Reality, where the lead character (Detective Robert Gladstone) really does come to life. As he works through the intricacies of the case, he gradually becomes more and more human. The novel follows Gladstone’s adventures in gaining consciousness, adjusting to the real world, and learning insights about being human.

What is one thing that no one would usually know about you?

No one would usually know that I co-anchored the evening news at KALX 90.7fm in Berkeley in 2000-01, as well as co-hosting the news magazine, “On the Record.” I put my writing skills to use by researching news stories and revising articles to read on-air.

How did you choose a title for your book?

I originally titled it Detective Gladstone, the name of the main character, but I realized this could suggest it was a mystery novel. It is really a fantasy novel with a protagonist that happens to be a detective, there is no mystery involved. So I thought about what my story was about, and what would make a catchy title. I came up with A Character in Reality because it described succinctly the main point of my story, and it sounded interesting, making potential readers want to know more about what exactly a character would be doing in reality.

Have you ever wished that you could be or do anything else instead of writing, and if so what?

I have wished that I could be a professional jazz pianist/composer. Fortunately, being a musician and a writer are not mutually exclusive, in fact, they have a synergy, and developing at one helps and informs the other. I have actually released three albums in the last four years, alongside releasing two books, so I am lucky that I have the opportunity to pursue both interests.

Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?

I would like Michael J. Fox to play me. He is one of my favorite actors and has an appearance similar to mine. In an ideal world, he would not have Parkinson’s disease, but sadly illnesses are not always fair.

What is the single biggest challenge you faced when writing your book?

The biggest challenge was writing 40,000 words, enough to qualify my story as a full-length novel. I had previously only written short stories, never a novel, so I was unsure whether I had it in me to write that much. But fortunately, my characters, plot, and main premise of the story lent themselves to elaboration, and I really wanted to have written a novel. So once I made my outlines and thought out what I wanted to happen, I overcame the challenge and was able to write over 41,000 words.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Inspiration usually comes to me from a variety of almost random sources. Sometimes I will just be thinking about an idea about life, or a line of a conversation, or something that happened to me, and I will realize that could be the basis of a story. Sometimes the idea will only be brief, but once I start writing on my laptop, it grows into something more substantial.

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.

Filed under: Thursday Throng Tagged: author interview, nicholas bridgman, science fantasy]]>https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/11/24/meet-nicholas-bridgman-author-of-a-character-in-reality/feed/0nicholas_bridgman_realityLindyA Character in RealityMeeting Dan Buri – Author of Pieces like Potteryhttps://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/11/17/meeting-dan-buri-author-of-pieces-like-pottery/
https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/11/17/meeting-dan-buri-author-of-pieces-like-pottery/#commentsThu, 17 Nov 2016 17:38:20 +0000http://womanontheedgeofreality.com/?p=27650Continue reading Meeting Dan Buri – Author of Pieces like Pottery]]>Hello after a few weeks away and I’d like to introduce Dan Buri to the Thursday Throng. Dan is a writer who has recently published his first collection of short fiction, Pieces Like Pottery. It’s an exploration of heartbreak and redemption and the San Francisco Globe recommended it to readers and saying, “It hits you in the feels.”

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

When I was younger, I used to “play” Star Wars with my three older brothers. My oldest brother would be Luke Skywalker. My second oldest brother would be Han Solo. My brother just older than me would be Chewbacca. They would make me be Princess Leia. I have no idea why I couldn’t have been C-3PO or R2-D2 or Lando Calrissian even. They always made me be Princess Leia. (shaking my head)

What did the best review you ever had say about you and your work?

Great question. No one has ever asked me this before. I have been lucky enough to have some very positive reviews. There was one lovely woman, though, that had some feedback that really touched me. In her review itself she had wonderful things to say, commenting how she wanted to give the book 10 stars instead of 5 and how people will want to read my book again and again; but she contacted me directly as well and shared a wonderful story. She told me that her husband was an Air Force helicopter pilot who died in 2012 in a mid-air collision. She had spoken to him one last time less than 2 hours before he passed away. His last words to her, she says, were nearly identical to the last words in my book. She was so moved and just cried. She told me that she could never thank me enough for bringing her that experience in my writing. I don’t know if I’ll ever have a more beautiful review than that.

What did the worst review you ever had say about you and your work?

I welcome all reviews, good and bad. A good book, in my mind, should have both positive and negative reviews. If every review is good, then it most likely means that the book is “just fine”—the book probably doesn’t challenge the reader at all. There are great minds that love terrible books and great books that are hated by great minds. A book isn’t for everyone and that is perfectly fine. Great books have people debating their merits.

I had one reviewer, though, call my book blasphemous and anti-religious. This really took me by surprise, particularly because the reviewer went so far as to call me anti-religious, rather than just my book or just characters from my book. I am a practicing Catholic myself and the book intentionally has undertones of the Sorrowful Mysteries, so the critique of it being blasphemy left me bewildered. To each his own, though. After a writer completes his work, it becomes the reader’s.

Are the names of your characters important to you?

Yes, in Pieces Like Pottery most everything in the book is intentional. The names are not randomly chosen. The numbers used are intentional. Quotes, songs, artists, etc. Most everything referenced in the book has a purpose, sometimes within the context of that one story and often times within the context of the entire framework of the book. It is no accident that there are five Sorrowful Mysteries in the book and that there are four intermediate stories and poems that break up the five main stories—that all has meaning. There are a lot of easter eggs in the book, so readers should look closely. Hopefully in addition to enjoying the stories on their own merits, your readers will enjoy searching for clues, almost like a mystery novel that challenges the reader to pick up the individual pieces of the story and piece them together into a grander whole. But the short answer to your question is yes, the names of the characters are important.

How did you choose a title for your book?

I wanted a title that would conjure up a number of ideas in the mind of the reader. Pieces Like Pottery references how bits and pits of the stories are pieced together to create a larger novel than each individual story. I wanted to create an image of beautiful art being pieced together. I wanted to invoke emotions of shattered dreams being pieced back together, like a jig-saw puzzle. And I wanted to reference a Bible verse—Isaiah 30:14.

Are there any occupational hazards to being an author?

If you count a life of obscurity in an occupation that doesn’t pay the bills as a hazard, then yes.

Do you think there is any elitism attached to the different genres of books, both in the fiction and non-fiction worlds?

For sure. My first fiction book is a collection of short stories. Short stories are not well received and are usually not looked upon kindly. Despite the fact that the stories in my book are all linked and create a larger story—an entire novel, if you will—it’s just not viewed that way sadly. Probably as impactful or more impactful than the preconceived opinions about genre are the preconceived opinions about indie authors vs. traditionally published authors (published by one of the big six publishers). Ebooks have done wonders for changing the accessibility of indie authors, both from a publishing standpoint as well as from a readership standpoint, but the widespread opinion I’ve found from the larger public outside of the writing community is that if it’s not traditionally published, it’s because it’s not good. This has changed a little bit in the last 3-to-5 years, but it remains an unfortunate reality.

The big six publishers are large corporations and as much as they aim to focus on creativity and great works, it’s difficult for them because they have thousands of people that work for them and that rely on them for a pay check. So the big six are constantly focused on what will be a commercial success. The irony, though, is that they have no idea what will be a commercial success just like you and I have no idea. What do Harry Potter, A Wrinkle in Time, Gone With the Wind, and Twilight have in common? They were all initially rejected by publishers. They just don’t know what’s going to sell. Indie authors have a little bit of freedom from this pressure. We all want our books to do well commercially of course, but we are also able to take creative chances that a big six publisher might be unwilling to take. (And as I step down from the soapbox let me say, please get my book! I need the support of great bloggers and readers like you. $3.99 is less than a cup of coffee! …Ok, I’m done.)

What is the single biggest challenge you faced when writing your book?

Time. Having a very demanding job as an Intellectual Property attorney and raising three-year and three month old children with my beautiful wife, it was very difficult to find the time to write. Once upon a time I thought I needed to write in a particular time and place. I would typically write at night and need to be in the perfect mood to do so. I quickly found, however, that I was not finding much time to write at all. I had to begin writing anytime I could find a free 30 minutes. I was lucky I did too.

I think young writers always wait for the moment of inspiration to strike. These moments are amazing, but they are a great luxury. The truth, in my opinion, is that writing is as much about editing and revising as it is about the writing itself. I have so many pages of Pieces Like Pottery on the cutting room floor, so to speak. Maybe editing is a beautiful and inspiring process for some people, but for most writers I know it is painstaking. There’s nothing inspirational about editing for me. Having very little time to write each day helped me to begin taking my writing to the next level and to learn to hone it as a craft, rather than my writing simply being an inspirational hobby.

Do you have any hints or tips for aspiring writers?

Over the years I have been lucky enough to be offered abundant feedback and to hear excellent commentary from a few creative people that I admire greatly. There are three comments/ideas that have stuck with me throughout all my writing endeavors. (Each of these is summarized in my own words.)

When asked about the fears and doubts that she had with her writing, Elizabeth Gilbert (best selling author of Eat, Pray, Love) said she finally had an epiphany that her “writing muse” was telling her that this isn’t her story. If she doesn’t tell it, she said, then the muse would move on to someone else who will. Ms. Gilbert discussed how freeing this was for her. She was no longer declaring to the reader: “Listen to me. I have something to say.” It was almost as if she had no other choice but to write. This opened her up to write every day without fear of the result.

Ira Glass is an American public radio personality and the host and producer of the radio and television show This American Life. He has a great quote for young creatives. In short, he encourages that your work is not going to be good when you’re first starting out. You may have an excitement for your craft and a killer taste for what’s good, but your execution is poor. The only way to improve your work, the only way to close the gap so that your work is as good as your ambitions, is to do a lot of work. Write. Every day. Every week put yourself on a deadline to write something new. It’s going to take awhile, but that’s normal. Good writing doesn’t come the first time you sit down.

Louis C.K. is one of the most thoughtful and innovative comics alive right now. I once heard him speak about his HBO show, Lucky Louie, which was cancelled after one season in 2006. He was asked if he was disappointed and if he looked back at it as a failure. His answer was unequivocally: “No.” For him it was just another experience that taught him how to hone his craft, which was invaluable.

So those would be my three pieces of (long-winded) advice for young writers. One, don’t worry about whether you have anything important to say. If you are inspired, say it. Two, write constantly. You won’t become a good writer unless you’re writing all the time. Three, take every writing experience and use it to hone your craft. Something is not a failure simply because the public doesn’t receive it the way you would like.

How do you remain sane while working?

Your question presumes that I am in fact sane. I have been called a weirdo and crazy more than a few times. So…pass?

What is the best excuse you have ever come up with for missing a deadline?

This isn’t my excuse, but I have to share this story. When I was a freshman in college, a young man in my dorm felt unprepared for his midterm the next morning. He decided he would drive to the side of the highway and call the professor to tell him he had just been in a bad car accident and couldn’t make it to the test. Another friend, enjoying how clearly distraught this young man was about a simple test, and noticing how much he was overthinking and planning his excuse for missing the test, pointed out that the professor wouldn’t believe him if he didn’t have any sort of scratches to show for it. So, long story just a little bit longer, in an effort to give himself a black eye, the young man concocting this elaborate excuse proceeded to run full speed down the hall while another individual hit him across the face with a textbook. I kid you not, this is an honest to God true story. The moral, clearly, is that college-aged males are a very dumb species.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Great question. Stories constantly bubble up inside of me. As writers, I think the challenge is taking the stories from our head and our heart and putting them on the page. A lot of people have stories, but not everyone can communicate them effectively and clearly. This is the great challenge of the writer.

I find inspiration in my everyday life. I think good writers have a unique gift of empathy. They work hard to understand another person’s pains, hopes, dreams and fears. I really try to understand each person that I encounter in my life. These experiences tend to inspire me and seep into my writing.

What was the most important thing you learned at school?

How to get out of a midterm with elaborate stories about car accidents.

Tea, Coffee, Water, Juice, Wine or Beer … which do you prefer when writing?

Whiskey if I can go off-script. If not, than a good wine.

Finally, I would like to first of all say thank you, Linda, for hosting me on your site. You have a wonderful blog! This is a great place for us all to indulge in our shared love of books. Thank you for your excellent content and book suggestions. I am grateful to be here.

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.

Filed under: Thursday Throng Tagged: anthology, author interview, dan buri]]>https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/11/17/meeting-dan-buri-author-of-pieces-like-pottery/feed/2pieces like pottery dan buriLindypieces like potteryAn interview with Diana Strenka, author of Blackbeard’s Daughterhttps://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/09/22/an-interview-with-diana-strenka-author-of-blackbeards-daughter/
https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/09/22/an-interview-with-diana-strenka-author-of-blackbeards-daughter/#respondThu, 22 Sep 2016 13:00:22 +0000http://womanontheedgeofreality.com/?p=27635Continue reading An interview with Diana Strenka, author of Blackbeard’s Daughter]]>Hello everyone and this week I’d like us to welcome Diana Strenka to the Thursday Throng. Diana is the author Blackbeard’s Daughter, an historical fiction novel about the daughter of Edward Teach, more commonly known as the pirate Blackbeard. Margaret tells of her father, his love of the sea and the troubled life he led.

Diana has a degree in Psychology, and a Master’s Degree in Education. In addition to Blackbeard’s Daughter, she has authored and self-published several short stories on Smashwords and Amazon. One such title is Rescuing the Titanic, an account of the Californian’s arrival prior to the sinking of the Titanic. In the nonfiction realm, she has published several articles for HubPages on medieval and renaissance historical figures. She enjoys spending time with her cat, Moe, and drinking tea.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

I love theater! I’ve seen CATS, Phantom of the Opera, Stomp, and Beauty and the Beast live on Broadway! I’ve also acted in several plays (Our Town, Don’t Drink the Water) and musicals (Grease, Hello Dolly, South Pacific, Fiorello, Damn Yankees).

Are the names of your characters important to you?

Yes! It’s so important that my characters have names that are historically accurate to the era. It’s also important that the names can match their personalities! For instance, someone who is more reserved would have a more traditional name.

How did you choose a title for your book?

It jumped out at me, even before I started writing. I wanted to do a book that taught us a new perspective on a caricature (such as Blackbeard), a man we know so little about. What kind of experience would humanize a character much aligned by history? Parenthood. Through Margaret’s perspective, we can see Blackbeard for the man he could have been.

Have you ever wished that you could be or do anything else instead of writing, and if so what?

When I was very young, I wanted to be a singer. There’s movie footage of me as a child (yes, the VHS tapes from the 90s!) where I am doing my best lip-synching into the mirror! As I aged, I wanted to be an actress, a model, and Felicity of the American Girl collection!

Do you have any hints or tips for aspiring writers?

Be true to yourself; you are never going to please everyone. Just keep your held up high! You are talented, and so, so brave!

What was the most important thing you learned at school?

The most important thing I learned at school was humility. The more you get to know other people, the more you see yourself in them. It’s a very humbling experience. We are all humans, exploring this adventure we call life. It’s not always easy, so we need to be kind to one another. Kindness matters.

What is the book that you wished you had written?

To Kill a Mockingbird! That is one stunning piece of literature. The characters are so compelling (especially Atticus Finch – one of my favorite book heroes of all time), and so is the plot! It’s one of those books that reaches out, and pulls at your heart. The movie adaptation is equally as moving, and that is equally impressive!

Do you have any favourite resources you would like to share with our readers?

My favorite resources are Facebook writing groups, where I can get to know so many talented authors. Writers Unite, Elements of Genre Writing, Rhetoric Askew, and Our Write Side are just a small sampling of the wonderful Facebook group outs there. Writers, remember: you are not alone! Reach out, and get to know as many people as you can!

What is your favourite TV moment of all time?

My favorite TV moment of all time happens when Meredith Grey (Grey’s Anatomy) realizes that her “John Doe” victim [who had been dragged by a truck] was George! It gives me goosebumps EVERY time I see that scene!

Tea, Coffee, Water, Juice, Wine or Beer … which do you prefer when writing?

I prefer tea as it keeps me grounded and centered while I write! It also tastes so good!

If you could commit the perfect murder, where would you hide the body?

I would drop it into the center of the ocean, wrapped in an anchor or some other heavy thing.

Filed under: Thursday Throng Tagged: author interview, diana strenka, historical fiction]]>https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/09/22/an-interview-with-diana-strenka-author-of-blackbeards-daughter/feed/0blackbeards-daughter-diana-strenkaLindyblackbeard's daughterMeeting Dane Cobain, author of Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Homehttps://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/09/09/meeting-dane-cobain-author-of-eyes-like-lighthouses-when-the-boats-come-home/
https://womanontheedgeofreality.com/2016/09/09/meeting-dane-cobain-author-of-eyes-like-lighthouses-when-the-boats-come-home/#respondFri, 09 Sep 2016 11:42:41 +0000http://womanontheedgeofreality.com/?p=27626Continue reading Meeting Dane Cobain, author of Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home]]>Hi everyone, this week I’d like to introduce Dane Cobain, the author of several books including Eyes like lighthouses when the boats come home. It’s Dane’s first book of poetry, distilled from the sweat of a thousand memorised performances in this reality and others. It’s not for the faint-hearted.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

Tough question! I suppose that I’d go for the fact that I have anxiety disorder. I put a lot of myself out there, and I get up in front of crowds and perform without too much of a problem, but I also have problems with anxiety as well. It happens.

What did the best review you ever had say about you and your work?

It’s hard to pick just one, but I always like it when the reviewers’ excitement shines through. One reviewer had just joined the team on a book blog and reviewed No Rest for the Wicked as their first contribution – she said it was a privilege to get to review it for her first post for the site, which stuck in my mind.

How did you choose a title for your book?

I’ve got a number of them on the market, but for No Rest for the Wicked, my first book, there’s a bit of a story behind it. It was originally called ‘Angels’, but I had some interest from a publisher and they suggested changing the title to something more evocative. That publishing deal fell through and I eventually signed a different one, but that suggestion stuck with me and when I was carrying out edits, I spotted that one of the characters said, “There’s no rest for the wicked.” As soon as I re-read it, I knew I had to use it as the title.

Have you ever written naked?

I’ve never been asked this one before! Probably – I write all the time, whenever I get a chance, and so I’ve probably jotted something down after getting out of the shower or something.

Are you jealous of other writers?

No. There’s plenty of space for all of us – people who love reading tend to have diverse tastes and so it’s not really a competition. If anything, at least amongst the writers that I know, there’s a feeling of camaraderie. We’re all in it together.

What is the strangest thing you have ever had to do to promote a book?

I’ve done some pretty weird stuff, because I work in marketing by day. The strangest thing, at least for me, was when two actors played the roles of Father Montgomery and Niall from No Rest for the Wicked. It was odd to see people interpreting my characters, but a lot of fun!

Tea, Coffee, Water, Juice, Wine or Beer … which do you prefer when writing?

I write so often that I drink pretty much all of these (except for wine) at various times when writing. But my preference would be to have a coffee and a glass of water so I can pick between the two.

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WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT Dane AND HIS BOOK?

You can find Eyes Like Lighthouses When the Boats Come Home in Kindle format here:

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.

The Rico Lamoureux Interview

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

Well, given the fact that my autobiography hasn’t been released yet, I’d say most people don’t realize how many times life has chewed me up and spit me back out. From a harsh childhood to two life-altering health problems. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg! But to some extent, the old saying, ‘What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger’ is indeed true.

What did the best review you ever had say about you and your work?

“Exciting from the first page, Riker’s Calling is full of action, adventure, and mystery. This short novella is a nonstop, can’t put it down read. Mr. Rico Lamoureux is a master at capturing this reader and keeping me glued until the end.”

It’s always nice to come across an open-minded reader who can approach my work without being clouded by preconceived notions. I’ve spent over thirty years honing my craft, my art as a storyteller, and deeply appreciate it when someone ‘gets’ my work.

What did the worst review you ever had say about you and your work?

No artist in history has ever pleased everyone, so it’s pointless to try. All you can be is true to yourself and those who ‘get’ your writing. A writer who hasn’t received a bad review is a writer that hasn’t received many reviews at all.

I specialize in the art of the novella, and it’s no secret that most readers are used to reading novels. But you know, in most cases this doesn’t pose a problem, as most well-read minds can appreciate great storytelling no matter how it’s presented to them. But there’ll always be a certain percentage out there who have been so conditioned with what they believe is the only way to tell a story (i.e. a specific structure, pages and pages if not chapters and chapters on characterization, as opposed to layering it in as the story goes along, etc.) that they can’t just sit back and enjoy the ride, being unable to accept a different form of storytelling than what they’ve been programmed with.

This was the case in a review I got that stated, “As the author structures one event, he can often switch unexpectedly to a past event and have both running concurrently, blending plots and merging pictures when they should remain separate.”

The reviewer went on in this fashion, making it obvious that he truly didn’t understand the art of the novella, including the fact that novellas are not novels, and there must be a delicate balance with all elements of story, to make it both complete and engaging. One does not have the hundreds and hundreds of pages to go on and on wasting space in a novella, the author needing the skills to know what to say and how to say it in just the right way if it is to work well, which is why it is an art in and of itself.

It would have been a waste a time to comment back to this reviewer, as ego can oftentimes overshadow an opportunity to learn. I simply don’t have the time to enter into cyber wars-of-words, so I just move on. A tactic authors need to learn if they are to keep their sanity-LOL!

Now don’t get me wrong. Just because I’ve been at this for over thirty years doesn’t mean I can’t benefit from a suggestion every now and then. There’s been a few times where I gladly accepted someone’s opposing point-of-view, when overall it really did make a particular story better, as this is always my utmost concern. To have a story be as great as it can be. But yeah, after having spent over three decades of my life perfecting my talent, these instances don’t come along that often. I’ve dedicated my life to this art form, and as a result I can unapologetically say that I’m damn good at it! (LOL!)

Are the names of your characters important to you?

Indeed they are. They have to fit like a glove.

Are there any occupational hazards to being an author?

Unless you have a big publisher behind you or have been fortunate enough to somehow rise above the overwhelming saturation of today’s online market, being an author can be quite a financial struggle. You’re basically playing the lottery with every new release, hoping, but not expecting, that your latest will end up being ‘the one.’

I know, sounds depressing, but then you hear another success story, of how someone managed to break through and become a viral sensation, proving that it really is possible. The stars happened to align perfectly for said author, and now they can bask in their glory.

Yes, it can be a tough existence trying to get to your turn, but when you have story in your veins there’s really no other option.

Who would you like to play you in a film of your life?

We don’t look alike, but my all-time favorite actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, can pull off anything, his devotion to his art and craft awe-inspiring!

How do you remain sane while working?

The work, which is not really work, but art, is not the hard part, it’s actually the nirvana! The magic that is unlike anything else! Worrying about keeping one’s sanity comes when it’s time to release your work of art out into the world. Trying to get someone to take notice.
“Excuse me… Do you mind looking over here for a minute? No, it’s not a funny cat video… Nu-uh, not the latest app sensation. No POKEMON here.

…Just a story of substance, that may change your perspective on life, that’s all.”

Where do you find your inspiration?

First and foremost, in the eyes of my wife. She deserves the life we have always dreamed of, and I’ll keep fighting for her, for my soul, and for our future child.

What was the most important thing you learned at school?

The priceless gift of literacy. That, and the appreciation of great storytelling, from those heroes/teachers who shared such.

Tea, Coffee, Water, Juice, Wine or Beer … which do you prefer when writing?

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.

The David Kaine Interview

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

I think that people who meet me would never guess that I have a Ph.D. Currently I work in digital communications – websites and social media – but in a previous life I studied for and received a doctorate in ancient religion. I had the bad luck of finishing my dissertation right about the time when the academic job market collapsed, so my dreams of getting tenure and spending my life sitting in the library and writing books came to nothing. It all worked out for the best – I enjoy my work in the industry where I ended up – but it’s certainly not what I had in mind when I was applying to grad school.

Are the names of your characters important to you?

When I name my characters I look for names that have the right sound. I have an idea in my mind of who that person is, and I want a name that captures that personality in some way. It’s a very gut-level thing, there’s no science to it, but I’ll play with a few different names until I find the one that feels right.

How did you choose a title for your book?

“Chimera” is a work of suspense and I wanted the title to have some mystery to it. I wanted a title that, of course, had some specific relation to what happens in the book, but I also wanted it to mean one thing the first time you saw it and something different after you’d finished it.

Do you think there is any elitism attached to the different genres of books, both in the fiction and non-fiction worlds?

There’s always elitism. I know that romance authors, for instance, are routinely dismissed by authors of “more serious” fiction – who no doubt very much resent the fact that romance is by far the best-selling genre on Amazon. For me, though, it’s all just a matter of writers connecting with readers. When you write within a genre, you agree to respect certain hallmarks of that genre, because those are the elements that readers enjoy. There’s nothing wrong with that, and I believe that there is no genre that cannot be home to excellent, well-crafted writing. So if a romance writer connects with her (or his) readers more effectively than I’m able to, more power to her. I’m just trying to do my best and write the sort of thing that I enjoy reading.

What is the single biggest challenge you faced when writing your book?

Real-world detail. I didn’t want generic “he walked down the street” descriptions, I wanted to write about how it would actually feel to be there. I made a point of including locations that I had some personal knowledge of, but in some cases the best I could do was research the area in as much detail as I could manage. That was a challenge: taking the time to get the details right when I was in a hurry to write!

Do you have any hints or tips for aspiring writers?

The three best tips are to write, read, and learn from others like you. Write as much as you can. Every page will be a little bit better than the one that came before it. Read voluminously, particularly within the genre that you’re writing it. And find authors (online or offline) who have struggled with what you’re struggling with and who offer tips on how to overcome those things. My writing technique is a combination of elements I’ve collected over time, from more sources than I can count, and I continue learning to this day.

Are you jealous of other writers?

I’m not immune to envy. I’m particularly envious of authors who have managed – through an irritating combination of talent and perseverance – to connect with their audience. In my case, writing is relatively easy (or, at least, I know how to do it). I don’t have trouble turning out pages or ideas. Marketing is hard, and by “marketing” I mean the many different things that go into connecting with potential readers and convincing them to take a chance on your book. That’s really hard, and it never seems to get easier. I envy the people who appear to have figured it out, because for me it’s a major challenge.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I’m a huge fan of stories, and I consume them compulsively. Movies, television, books, graphic novels: I have a limitless appetite for all of it. Everything I’ve learned, every story I’ve heard, goes into a big, seething pot in my head, and every now and then something sloshes over the top, congeals on the floor, and I’m struck with an idea for a story. Then I jot it down (because usually I’m busy with a project I’m trying to finish) and, if all goes well, I come back around to it later.
The idea for “Chimera” came to me after I’d read a couple of Dan Brown’s novels and was thinking back to what I’d learned in school about religion. Brown likes to write about religion and ancient conspiracies, but he approaches them in a way that’s different from the way I’d do it. How would I write a Dan Brown book, I asked myself, and what would it be about? The answer was “Chimera.”

I have a sequel in mind that combines the hero of my first book, a big science project I was reading about in the news, and some elements of indigenous religion I remembered from grad school. It’s really big, complex, and fun, and I can’t wait to write it down and make it real.

Do you have any favourite resources you would like to share with our readers?

Scrivener changed my life. Formatting my books for various output styles – Kindle, PDF, iBooks, etc. – was an incredible pain in the ass until I discovered Scrivener. It’s not the easiest software to use, but once you get the export settings the way you want them, it saves so much time.

If you could commit the perfect murder where would you hide the body?

The perfect crime supplies the police with an explanation that’s so obvious and reasonable, they won’t think to look any deeper. So I would hide my murder victim in a place where, once the body is found, everyone will assume that they know how the victim died. I think a perfect crime might be to murder your victim with a blunt object, then place the body in a car and drive it into a tree. Everyone will assume that the blunt force trauma was caused by the car crash, and you’d be left scot-free and with no troubles aside from an irresistible urge to tell someone how clever you were!

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.

What is one thing that no-one would usually know about you?

People wouldn’t believe that I’m an introvert. The things that pull me away for the core of who I am is writing and speaking.

What did the best review you ever had say about you and your work?

“Paulette’s artistic ability at drawing a clear resemblance of is a gift. This book, Completely Whole, is ideal for a small group women’s Bible study class, as well as a personal motivational read! Each chapter clearly aligning with the passages of Scripture that are included, will bring you to a point of deep reflection of what needs addressing in your heart. Through challenges and changes, Paulette encourages us to embrace what God wants to do in our lives! I encourage you to contact Paulette Harper and get a copy of this book for your next women’s study group and/or retreat.” –Angie Knight

What is the single biggest challenge you faced when writing your book?

My single biggest challenge I face when writing is staying focus. With other distractions pulling for my time it takes sheer determination not to stray away from my goals and deadlines.

Do you have any hints or tips for aspiring writers?

Yes. I do. As a writing coach one of the things I share with aspiring authors is to make sure they budget for publishing and marketing their books. It can be a bit surprizing how much things cost, and if they are not prepared, they will take short cuts that will cost them more in the end. Also, I encourage aspiring authors to build a platform before their book is published. I have seen so many authors wait until the book is published and then start promoting it. You want to create the buzz for your book before it is published.

Are you jealous of other writers?

No. Not at all. I rejoice when I see another author published a book. I believe there are plenty of readers for everyone. Our job as authors is to find our own audience and create our own voice.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find my inspiration from reading other books, watching TV and or listening to the radio. My ears are tuned in to words. As a writer, reading the works of other helps me to develop my skills and grow.

Tea, Coffee, Water, Juice, Wine or Beer … which do you prefer when writing?

Well it depends on when I’m writing. In the morning I prefer a nice cup of coffee but in the evenings it’s water.

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.

The Fran Smith Interview

I was named after the statue of Sir Francis Drake on Plymouth Hoe! (It could have been worse; my sister was nearly called Arthur.)

Are the names of your characters important to you?

Yes. Get a character’s name right and you’ve shorthanded their whole personality, especially in a comedy. I’m always on the lookout. Spittlehouse, Silversides and Kaziah were added to the irresistible names list in Yorkshire recently. (Feel free to use them, fellow writers.) In my Sister B books the names often reflect the flat fenland of the story’s setting. The very practical farmer is called Odge – roughly the sound of a welly in a puddle – and his wife is Delphine Odge, which I like for its combination of aspiration and mud squelch. You sense immediately that she has matching saucepans and fancies giving flatbread a try.

Have you ever written naked?

Of course. Under a mosquito net in Kenya. Usually in East Anglia I’m under a pile of sweaters, blowing on my fingers.

How do you remain sane while working?

Writing is where I cut loose, release the inner anarchist and play, but having said that, I’m very driven and determined about getting it right. I have a word count to meet. I get up at 5.30am if I need to. I have at least another twenty novels to write, and I started late, so I can’t hang about. It feels perfectly sane to spend whole days living in an imaginary place among fictitious characters doing made-up things. There are occasional re-entry problems, where real life begins to recede, but curing that is what families are for. The most I would admit to is vagueness and the occasional gloom when nothing’s working (certainly not bad temper; nothing like that…). Mostly I just have this powerful sense of a tidal wave of words that I must, must, must get written.

Publishing something, on the other hand, is like the Jumblies going to sea in sieve. It’s a completely daft, hopeless and hilarious idea that anyone would ever want to read – much less pay for – your made-up work. And yet somehow, if you’re lucky, they do, lovely people that they are.

What was the most important thing you learned at school?

Books and writing will get you through most things.

If you could commit the perfect murder where would you hide the body?

If a murder is really perfect, foul play is not suspected (as the police spokesperson would say) so there is no troublesome hiding to be done. Either that or foul play is suspected, but it is also condoned by the society in question (we’re better off without that sort), so the body is just tidied away.

WHY ‘THE THURSDAY THRONG’?

These posts are called The Thursday Throng in honour of the throng that waits eagerly outside the book store when a new author is doing a book signing event or appearance. On this website it takes the form of a ‘Meet the Author‘ online event with some information about our author’s latest book and an interview. If you would like to take part in the Thursday Throng then why not visit Thursday Throng Author Interview Guidelines to find out more.